Saturday, March 2, 2019

CADILLAC'S NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE, BUT WITH LIFE AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

If you want to be assured there’s a future for the Cadillac brand in the months to come, you just have to spend a few minutes talking to Cadillac’s Executive Director of Global Design, Andrew Smith.

You will instantly be a believer, and realize that this down-to-earth Aussie is not blowing smoke up you’re a..e!

He talks both confidently and willingly about the future of the concepts he and his team are working on, and as a visual indicator to that confidence here’s a teaser pic of the Cadillac EV concept recently shown to the media at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show.

The shot is of course computer-generated, but Andrew assures me it is very close to the final production version. The photo came to light as GM’s Product Chief Mark Reuss and Chair Mary Barra were assembling a portfolio of top secret new concepts to present in a range of top secret meetings. Reuss was so impressed with the Cadillac EV he insisted on showing it on press day at the auto show in Detroit.

There’s more to come on Cadillac, and Andrew Smith in future stories on Driving & Life, but I, for one, am relieved to know that this great brand has a future, and that GM’s Board are treating its elevation to pinnacle status with both respect and integrity, and more importantly, resources.

I am also delighted that Andrew Smith's energy and optimism is driving the future of the Brand.